124.93/56a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Kellogg)85
163. 1. I have been informed today by the Chinese Minister that his Government has instructed him to inquire regarding the intentions of the American Government concerning the raising of its Peking Legation to the rank of an Embassy, considering the probability of such action being taken by other principal powers. Minister Sze added his private conjecture that this inquiry is based on the expectation that the Soviet Union, which recently has resumed diplomatic relations with the Chinese Government, will appoint an Ambassador.
2. Please make a discreet effort to learn from the Foreign Office of the Government to which you are accredited its intentions in this matter.
3. The following is for your guidance and information. On April 19, 1921, the Department was informed by the British Embassy86 that the British Ambassador to Japan had obtained an assurance from the Japanese Government that it would take no action of that nature without consulting with the British Government. The British Embassy asked that the American Government give a statement of its intentions. On May 11, 1921, the Department answered86 that it did not feel that it was warranted in giving any promise as to the attitude which might be taken by the President should Congress indicate a desire to raise the rank of our Legation in China but that the Executive did not intend to take or to recommend such action.
4. Repeat this telegram to Embassy in Paris as our no. 184. Indicate that the third paragraph is only for confidential information.
- See last paragraph for instructions to repeat to Paris as Department’s no. 184. The same telegram sent to the Chargé in Japan as no. 97, for his information, as a basis for discreet inquiry at the Foreign Office, and with instructions to repeat to Peking as Department’s no. 124 for information.↩
- Memorandum not printed.↩
- Memorandum not printed.↩